ARRL Letter

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The ARRL Letter
Vol. 26, No. 29
July 20, 2007
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IN THIS EDITION:
* + ARRL Board of Directors Meets July 20-21
* + The 2007 ARRL National Convention Proudly Presents...
* + Diamond Terrace Officially Opens Prior to Board Meeting
* + The 2007 ARRL Public Relations Campaign - Where Are We Now?
* + Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, Named QEX Editor
* + FCC Enforcement Actions
* Solar Update
* IN BRIEF:
This Weekend on the Radio
ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Course Registration
+ World Scout Jamboree On the Air from England
+ New Section Manager Appointed in San Diego
US ARDF Championships Scheduled
SimSat Balloon to Launch
ARISS Report
TAPR to Meet in September
Let Us Know
+Available on ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>
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==>Delivery problems: First see FAQ
<http://www.arrl.org/members-only/faq.html#nodelivery>, then e-mail
<letter-dlvy@arrl.org&gt;
==>Editorial questions or comments *only*: S. Khrystyne Keane,
<k1sfa@arrl.org&gt;
===========================================================
==> ARRL Board of Directors Meets July 20-21
The ARRL Board of Directors holds their second meeting of 2007 July
20-21 in Windsor, Connecticut. All Directors, Vice Directors and ARRL
Board officers are in attendance. The meeting, which begins Friday and
continues through Saturday, was preceded on Thursday with meetings of
the Administration and Finance Committee and the Programs and Services
Committee.
The Administration and Finance Committee, chaired by New England
Division Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI, is responsible for all
administration and financial matters of the League, including
recommending the annual budget to the Board, making recommendations in
regard to staff management and interfacing with the ARRL Foundation on
fundraising issues. Frenaye said, "The first six months of 2007 have
been extremely busy with the changes brought on by the FCC's dropping of
Morse code as a licensing requirement. Staff and management have had a
good plan and have managed well to handle the increased workload, such
as in the VEC department, acquiring new memberships and advancing
publication sales."
The Programs and Services Committee, headed by Dakota Division Director
Jay Bellows, K0QB, is responsible for all programs and services provided
by the League, including Logbook of the World, W1AW and the incoming and
outgoing QSL services. "We deal with the whole range of membership and
volunteer services of the ARRL. We continue to keep the focus on the
members and volunteers who are the heart and soul of this organization,"
Bellows said.
==> The 2007 ARRL National Convention Proudly Presents...
The ARRL 2007 National Convention, to be held in conjunction with the
Huntsville Hamfest August 18-19 in Huntsville, Alabama, is getting
closer by the second. Along with the many convention activities, an
exciting forums schedule is being planned. This is your chance to learn
about contesting, emergency communications such as D-STAR, public
service, education and many technical issues.
Along with the presentations on the ARRL Stage in the ARRL EXPO area,
the ARRL will also be presenting forums at the Hamfest. ARRL President
Joel Harrison, W5ZN, will be moderating the ARRL Membership Forum. Come
and learn more about the issues shaping Amateur Radio today. Meet ARRL
President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, and other ARRL officials and staff. All
are welcome!
ARRL Education Services Manager Debra Johnson, K1DMJ will lead the
two-part ARRL Education Forum. Part 1 is an overview of the ARRL's new
Education Services Department. Topics will include the new ARRL mission
statement on education, new licensing materials, enrichment courses and
an update on ARRL outreach activities through the Education and
Technology Program and Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS). Part 2 consists of a discussion about ARRL educational and
instructional resources and ideas. What do you need? More educational
kits? A better Web site resource center? An on-line collaboration site
for instructors? More on-line courses? Instructors, teachers, on-line
course mentors and others are all encouraged to participate.
ARRL Membership Manager Katie Breen, W1KRB will lead a virtual ARRL
Headquarters tour. Amateur Radio entered a new era this year, and
licensing changes have rekindled enthusiasm among many newcomers and
inactive hams. Breen will lead you through a tour of ARRL's national
headquarters. Along the way, she will share stories of ARRL special
event activities aimed at encouraging on-air activity among new and
newly active hams, including real-time Web blogs and videos, Hello-Live!
and the W1AW HF Open House.
ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, will talk
about ARES and the Media - How to get attention for our best stories.
Emergencies often gain the attention of newspapers and television media,
and yet the good works of volunteers in the Amateur Radio Emergency
Service are often overlooked. Our best stories are never heard by the
public. This ARRL forum will discuss ways to help your public service
activities capture the attention of the media.
ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, and ARRL Web/Software Development
Manager Jon Bloom, KE3Z, will discuss DXCC and ARRL's Logbook of the
World. Do you enjoy the lure of DX (long-distance radio operating)? The
pinnacle of DXing success is the ARRL DX Century Club, or DXCC award.
Find out everything you've ever wanted to know about the DXCC program
and ARRL's Web-based Logbook of the World (LoTW).
The Huntsville Hamfest's preliminary forums schedule is posted on the
hamfest's Web site <http://www.hamfest.org/forums02b.htm>.
==> Diamond Terrace Officially Opens Prior to Board Meeting
The ARRL Diamond Terrace, gracing the entrance to the ARRL HQ building,
was formally opened July 19 with a ribbon cutting ceremony; ARRL
President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, and ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, did the
honors, while Directors, Officers, ARRL staff and visitors looked on
under skies that threatened to open with a deluge of rain at any second.
ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, opened the ceremony
by introducing Sumner. He gave kudos to Hobart, saying that the idea of
the Terrace originated in the ARRL Development Office and they saw it
through to fruition. "All of us who work here in Newington get to enjoy
this every day when we come to work, we get to walk through a greatly
enhanced entrance which sends the right message to staff and to our
members, as well as visitors, about the character and tradition of our
organization," Sumner said.
Sumner then introduced Harrison, who began his remarks reiterating what
he said at the donor's reception at this year's Dayton Hamvention: "When
you talk to the average ham out on the street, and you ask him what's
important to him in Amateur Radio, he will tell you, 'I want to go into
my shack, I want to turn on my radio and I want to get on the air. I
want to enjoy Amateur Radio. You take care of that for me. You are my
organization, the ARRL; you handle that for me.'"
Harrison continued that in order for that to happen, a lot of work takes
place behind the scenes. "With all that we have going on in Washington,
nationally, with all the attacks on Amateur Radio's resources, it takes
people like you in Newington, it takes people like we have on the Board
of Directors and most importantly, it takes people who donate to our
development program to make that all happen. The Diamond Terrace is just
one part of that, and it's a successful part. It adds a lot of meaning
to Amateur Radio and to the ARRL. From the bottom of my heart, I want to
say 'thank you' to everyone here and to every one of our donors."
Hobart then handed Harrison the scissors, and he and Sumner together cut
the ribbon amid much cheering. ARRL Publications Manager and QST Editor
Steve Ford, WB8IMY, filmed the event
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hdPAhJGhYs>.
Hobart later took the time to honor those who had helped with the
conception and realization of the Diamond Terrace, including Robert
Antonello Jr, who did all the concrete and brickwork on the Terrace, and
Bob Boucher, who engraved the bricks and is doing all the
personalization on the benches. She thanked Debra Johnson, K1DMJ, former
Development Office Operations Manager who is now ARRL Education Services
Manager, and current Development Associates Margie Bourgoin, KB1DCO, and
Maryann MacDonald. Hobart thanked the ARRL graphics department,
including Graphic Design Supervisor Sue Fagan, KB1OKW, and Senior
Technical Illustrator David Pingree, N1NAS, for taking the concept of
the Diamond Terrace and developing the plans and designs to make it a
reality.
She also extended her gratitude to ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane,
K1SFA, and QST Managing Editor Joel Kleinman, N1BKE. "These guys really
came through in helping me promote this great tribute to our members."
She continued, "I could not have done this project without the help of
Greg Kwasowski, W1GJK, ARRL HQ Building Manager."
"Everybody should have a brick!" she said in closing.
The Terrace will host up to 5000 personalized, 4x8-inch laser-engraved
bricks. Flanking the new entrance to ARRL Headquarters, the Diamond
Terrace recognizes donors wishing to venerate their own call signs or to
honor or memorialize the call sign of a family member, club or "Elmer"
(mentor). "I have heard wonderful stories from donors who are honoring
their Elmer or a family member, and clubs who are honoring a founder or
influential leader. There is no limit to the reasons why bricks are
placed to honor a call sign," Hobart said. There are also six benches of
Vermont granite placed around the Terrace.
"We already had plans to refurbish the Headquarters entrance area,"
Hobart continued, "so this was an ideal opportunity to invite our
members to participate in the project and support League programs at the
same time. We want to grow the Diamond Club, which enables the ARRL to
continue programs that require revenue above and beyond what annual dues
provide, ensuring their long-term health and enabling the League to do
more on behalf of Amateur Radio."
The Diamond Terrace is a project of the Diamond Club, which now has more
than 2100 members. The unrestricted funds it takes in support such ARRL
activities as spectrum defense, educational initiatives, field services,
DXCC, publications, contesting and the ARRL Volunteer Examiner
Coordinator program, among others. Hobart points out, "You pick an area
that's near and dear to your heart, and Diamond Club revenue is very
likely supporting it."
Information on the Diamond Terrace and how to request a brick or bench
is available at the Diamond Terrace Web page
<https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/diamondclub/>.
==> The 2007 ARRL Public Relations Campaign - Where Are We Now?
The ARRL has two Public Relations (PR) thrusts for 2007. The first one
concerns ARES and Public Relations. ARRL Media and Public Relations
Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, said, "We lose many good media opportunities
because ARES operations are not being covered by Public Information
Officers (PIO). Far too often, anything provided to media about ARES
activities in a crisis is not shared until long after the event, if at
all. To correct this, encouragement is being given for PIOs not only to
be media active during any ARES deployment, but also for Section
Managers to appoint specific PIOs whose singular job is to work with the
ARES Section Emergency Coordinator to talk with media during a crisis."
The second thrust of the PR campaign is the 2007 EmComm Campaign. There
was a short delay on this campaign, due to the FCC eliminating the Morse
code license requirement. Pitts and the ARRL Public Relations Committee
immediately launched the "30 Day Code Blitz" with custom made audio
Public Service Announcements and news releases (including a wire
release); many interviews were given for radio and newspapers, and
special materials were sent to PIOs and clubs for publication. Most of
these materials pointed the public to the new PR Web page
<http://www.emergency-radio.org/>, which saw a spike of more than 857,000
hits in February alone.
Pitts said after the "code blitz," the planned implementation of the
2007 EmComm campaign got underway. A collection of integrated PR
materials was created and provided for PIOs and others to promote
Amateur Radio's EmComm capabilities. "The value of the materials is
presenting the non-ham with the benefits of Amateur Radio in providing
communications for themselves and their families in a crisis," Pitts
said.
The EmComm campaign materials include: The 2007 EmComm brochure
("Getting the Message Through"); the 2007 edition of the Swiss Army
Knife for PIOs reference CD; a Web site <http://www.emergency-radio.org/>
based on emergency communications; Katrina - The Untold Story, a 5
minute DVD about hams providing assistance during and after Hurricane
Katrina; a 30 second audio PSA; a 30 second video PSA, and the Talk on a
Disk CD.
The 2007 EmComm brochure was partially made possible by a $15,000
donation from Dayton Amateur Radio Association. Pitts said that the
brochure has proved so successful that the initial printing of 100,000
copies was quickly used, and a second (unexpected) printing of an
additional 60,000 copies was needed prior to Field Day last month. A
third printing may even be needed before the end of the year. ARRL PR
Committee Chairman Sherri Brower, W4STB, said, "These
professional-looking brochures are even more popular with
representatives of our served agencies than last year's "Hello"
brochure. It gives a favorable and professional image to our Emergency
Communications via Amateur Radio and says the only thing amateur is our
name."
The Swiss Army Knife CD for PIOs remains a highly desired reference. It
provides basic computerized files and information, how-to hints and
quick references for PIOs.
Richard Lubash, N1VXW, produced the 5 minute video "Katrina - The Untold
Story." "With his permission, we edited down the dramatic opening
sequence, added in enhanced sound and created an excellent 30 second
PSA. This video has shown great acceptance by television stations and
has been aired thousands of times already in 2007," said Pitts. In
addition, Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW, completed "Hello - The Movie," a 5 minute
general video introduction to Amateur Radio. Unlike "Amateur Radio
Today," both of these videos can be broadcast.
The newest item in the ARRL PR arsenal is "Talk on a Disk," created as a
suite of presentation materials keyed to go with the EmComm brochure.
Designed to be used in live speaking presentations to groups, Pitts said
it gives the potential speaker all they need to do a first class
presentation on Amateur Radio and EmComm work. "The 'Talk on a Disk' was
definitely the hot item in the PR booth at Dayton Hamvention," according
to Jim McDonald, KB9LEI, one of the booth volunteers. "We spent maybe
three or four minutes explaining the concept to folks and their eyes lit
up. Many told us it was something they had wished for to help them do
presentations."
North Carolina Section Public Information Coordinator Bill Morine,
N2COP, commented: "We used both the EmComm brochure and the new EmComm
Web site as tools to show North Carolina legislators the benefits of
Amateur Radio in emergency situations. This approach helped with the
unanimous passage of a PRB-1 type antenna bill in the North Carolina
General Assembly which became law June 29 this year."
Information on how to order PR materials can be found at the ARRL's PIO
Web site <www.arrl.org/pio>.
==> Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, Named QEX Editor
ARRL Publications Manager Steve Ford, WB8IMY, announced July 17 that he
has named long-time ARRL Headquarters staffer Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, as
QEX Editor. QEX is ARRL's forum for communications experimenters.
Wolfgang takes over Editorial duties from Doug Smith, KF6DX. Smith had
filled the position since the September/October 1998 issue, when he took
over for Rudy Severns, N6LF.
Ford said, "Larry has been QEX Managing Editor for the past year and a
half, but as Editor, he will be responsible for the full scope of QEX
editorial operations."
Larry holds a BS in physics from Susquehanna University; he taught high
school science prior to coming to ARRL in June 1981. First licensed at
15 as WN3JQM in 1968, Wolfgang also held WA3VIL for many years.
Wolfgang said, "Being named QEX Editor is quite an honor, and also a
huge challenge. When I reviewed the list of previous Editors, starting
with Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, in 1981, I realized what an awesome
responsibility it will be to guide QEX. The magazine is an
experimenters' exchange, so I want to encourage more authors to write
about projects on which they are working. While we like
construction-type articles, this is also a place to share 'projects in
the works' and exchange stories about successes and failures. I also
want to find some ways to increase our readership." A video detailing
Wolfgang's vision for QEX is available on YouTube
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnWasaN2UBw>.
Readers can find more information about QEX, published six times a year,
at the QEX Web site <http://www.arrl.org/qex/>. The site features cover
images for the past two years, as well as the Table of Contents and
Letters columns from those issues. A sample article from each of those
issues is available for free download.
==> FCC Enforcement Actions
On July 14, the FCC released information regarding enforcement actions
against three radio amateurs: John C. Kimbrough, WR3S, of Murfreesboro,
Tennessee; Anthony W. Cranston, WA2HYO, of East Brunswick, New Jersey,
and Steve L. Wingate, K6TXH, of Eureka, California.
Kimbrough was issued a Warning Notice and Notification of Removal of
Automatic Control Privileges for his repeaters. The FCC said that it
sent Kimbrough a letter on April 10 of this year, notifying him that
monitoring information showed that on various dates in March 2007 his
repeater stations operated without proper control and re-broadcast
portions of commercial television programming and music. He was also
accused having operators on his system fail to identify properly and
using false call signs. The FCC's letter warned Kimbrough that repeaters
must be under the supervision of a control operator "and not only
expects, but requires, control operators to be responsible for the
proper operation of the repeater system."
When Kimbrough replied to the FCC's April letter, he informed the
Commission that he is operating 12 repeaters under his call sign on the
following frequencies: 145.170, 145.370; 146.955, 147.360, 223.960,
224.160, 224.360, 224.560, 224.620, 224.660, 224.760 and 224.980 MHz,
using at least 10 control operators. The FCC replied in this
Notification that "The rebroadcast of commercial programming, improper
identification and lack of identification by end users, and your own
transmissions over your repeater that can be reasonably be interpreted
as threats to complainants, indicate your inability or unwillingness to
control your own repeater stations."
The FCC warned Kimbrough that he would soon be receiving a letter from
the FCC's Atlanta office removing the automatic control privileges of
his repeater systems. "This means that you may not operate ANY repeater
stations under your call sign unless you are the control operator and at
the control point at all times to make certain that Commission rules are
being followed and that no interference is occurring. When you are
unable to function as the control operator of the stations identifying
with your call sign, they may not transmit."
Finally, the FCC said, "failure to control stations bearing your call
sign, or any communications over your repeaters not complying with
Commission rules, will result in enforcement action against your
license. That enforcement action may include a forfeiture (fine) or
revocation and suspension of your Amateur license, or modification of
your Amateur license to remove voice privileges. Any threats, direct or
indirect, made to complainants or perceived complainants over your
repeaters by your users, will result in revocation proceedings against
your Amateur license."
The FCC accused Cranston of operating his repeater without coordination
and, as such, causing interference to WA3BXW on 147.345 MHz. Cranston
was allegedly notified of this back in 2003 and contacted repeatedly
since, but the matter remains "unresolved." The FCC notes that where
there is interference between a coordinated and uncoordinated repeater,
"the licensee of the uncoordinated repeater has primary responsibility
to resolve the interference."
The FCC asked Cranston if his repeater was coordinated for operation at
147.345 MHz, and if it is, asked him to furnish a copy of the
coordination document and to "state the circumstances, if any, under
which you are operating the repeater in a manner not consistent with the
coordination, including changed location or power." If the repeater is
not coordinated, the FCC asked Cranston for proof of any action he has
undertaken to obtain coordination or to bring the station back into
compliance with coordination. The FCC also wanted to know if he had
received any complaints, either oral or written, and what steps he has
taken to resolve them. The Commission also asked for Cranston to
"describe in detail the configuration of the WA2HYO repeater system,
including all sites, links and addresses, using diagrams where
necessary. Detail any changes in location since the coordination, if
any, was issued."
The FCC sent Wingate a letter, letting him know about complaints
alleging his "lack of station control and deliberate interference." The
Commission said he had 20 days from receipt of his letter to respond to
the complaints in detail: "You are directed to support your response
with a signed and dated affidavit or declaration under penalty of
perjury, verifying the truth and accuracy of the information submitted
in your response."
==>SOLAR UPDATE
Tad "House of the Rising Sun(spot)" Cook, K7RA, this week reports: This
week saw an increase in average daily sunspot numbers, rising over 8
points to 29.3. Expect to see a lower average for next week, with
perhaps some zero-sunspot days. Perhaps early August will have sunspot
numbers back in the twenties at least. Currently, sunspot 963 is
disappearing from view. Right now there is a solar wind stream headed
toward Earth. This should only be a minor upset, with planetary A index
around 15 for today and tomorrow, July 20-21. The IMF (interplanetary
magnetic field) is currently pointing south, which makes us vulnerable.
Geophysical Institute Prague predicts unsettled to active conditions for
July 20, unsettled July 21, quiet to unsettled July 22, quiet for July
23-25 and unsettled July 26. Sunspot numbers for July 12-18 were 25, 38,
41, 41, 30, 17 and 13, with a mean of 29.3. For more information
concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information
Service Propagation page
<http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>.
__________________________________
==>IN BRIEF:
* This weekend on the radio: This weekend, look for the NCCC Sprint
Ladder on July 20 and the VK/Trans-Tasman 160 Meter Contest (CW) on July
21. The North American QSO Party (RTTY) and the CQ World Wide VHF
Contest are July 21-22. On July 22, the SKCC Weekend Sprint and RSGB Low
Power Field Day are on the air. Next weekend, NCCC Sprint Ladder is on
July 27 and the ARD Flight of the Bumblebees is July 28. The RSGB IOTA
Contest is July 28-29. See the ARRL Contest Branch page
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/>, the ARRL Contester's Rate Sheet
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/rate-sheet/> and the WA7BNM Contest
Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more
information.
* ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Course Registration:
Registration remains open through Sunday August 5 for these on-line
courses that begin on Friday August 17: Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications Level 2 (EC-002); Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Level 3 (EC-003R2); Antenna Modeling (EC-004); HF Digital Communications
(EC-005); VHF/UHF - Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008), and Radio
Frequency Propagation (EC-011). To learn more, visit the CCE Course
Listing page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or contact the
Continuing Education Program Coordinator <cce@arrl.org&gt;.
* World Scout Jamboree On the Air from England: Worldwide Scouting
celebrates 100 years of Scouting with the 21st World Jamboree in England
July 27-August 7. Amateur Radio will be a significant part of the
festivities, with participation in several events during the Jamboree.
GB100J will operate around the clock for the duration of the Jamboree.
There are plans for a contact with the International Space Station,
including an EchoLink relay of the contact. The Scouting Sunrise Net
marks the 100th anniversary with ceremonies around the world at 8 AM
local time. This net will start at 1900 UTC July 31 and continue to 1900
UTC August 1, and will include GB100S and GB100BI. The BI station will
be located on Brownsea Island, where Lord Baden Powell opened the very
first Scout encampment at 8 AM August 1, 1907. The idea for Jamboree on
the Air (JOTA) was formed at a World Jamboree in 1957. GB100J will
celebrate JOTA's 50th birthday on August 4 with special on-the-air
activities. This year's JOTA, always the third full weekend in October,
will be a 50 hour around-the-world Scout happening. QST Assistant
Technical Editor and active Scoutmaster Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, said,
"Make plans now to spend some time with a local Scout Troop, Cub Pack or
Venture Crew during the time of the Jamboree. Contact a local Scout camp
and set up a station to have local Scouts participate in some of the
World Jamboree festivities via Amateur Radio. Talk with Scouts at the
Jamboree and other locations around the world. You and the Scouts will
have so much fun you will want to do this again and again. For more
information and updates during the Jamboree, see the GB100J Web page
<http://gb100j.radio-scouting.org.uk/>.
* New Section Manager Appointed in San Diego: Loren "Mitch" Mitchell,
K6BK, of San Diego, California, has been appointed ARRL San Diego
Section Manager to complete the term of office vacated by Pat Bunsold,
WA6MHZ. Bunsold, who served as SM on two different occasions (April
2004-March 2006 and July 2006-July 2007), stepped down due to health
concerns. Dave Patton, NN1N, Manager of ARRL's Membership and Volunteer
Programs Department, made the new appointment effective July 12;
Mitchell's term of office continues through March 2008. Mitchell has
been the San Diego Section Emergency Coordinator since April 2006. He is
active with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Scripps
Ranch, is a weather spotter with WX6BX for SKYWARN and operates as an
ARRL Official Emergency Station on D-STAR. He is also trustee of station
KA6BSA for the Boy Scouts of America. First licensed in 1961 at age 14,
Mitchell developed a lifelong interest in both electronics and
engineering. His wife Nancy, N6NCY, and sons Brendan, K6BMK, and Wes,
K6WES, also enjoy the world of Amateur Radio.
* US ARDF Championships Scheduled for August: Registrations for the
Seventh USA Championships of Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) are
still being accepted. The event is scheduled for September 14-16 at
South Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Mountains, near the border between
California and Nevada. Beginners and experts at on-foot
radio-orienteering will test their skills and learn from one each other.
As in recent odd-numbered years, our national championships are being
combined with the ARDF championships for International Amateur Radio
Union (IARU) Region 2, which encompasses North and South America. Course
operations are in accordance with IARU rules; these are uniform
throughout the world. Early Bird registration (at a $25 savings) was
scheduled to end on July 14, but that deadline has been extended to July
31.
* SimSat Balloon to Launch: A high-altitude balloon carrying Amateur
Radio is being prepared for launch July 24 and 25 that will offer hams
and students in Maryland, Washington DC and a 20 state region a special
opportunity to participate in the operations. "Balloon launches are
being offered as part of a two-week science camp called 'Reach For The
Stars!' at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore," said Pat Kilroy,
N8PK, a long time space and near-space experimenter and engineer at the
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "Within minutes
of release from UMES, the balloon's radio footprint will grow to cover
all of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and many adjoining states. At its
peak of about 100,000 feet, the signals from the balloon will be heard
by all within a 400 mile radius, reaching northward to Maine, westward
out to Detroit and Cincinnati, and south to Savannah," he added. Amateur
Radio operators are invited to participate. There is a list of tasks
that hams can do either on their own or in groups on Kilroy's Web page
<http://www.patkilroy.com/simsat>.
* ARISS Report: There were two Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station (ARISS) meetings July 12 and 13 at the Johnson Space Center in
Houston, Texas. One meeting was with Johnson Space Center (JSC)
Education Office; the agenda covered many topics such as NASA funding, a
new NASA-sponsored Web site, ARISS lesson plans, NASA educational goals
and other high-level topics. ARRL ARISS Program Manager Rosalie White,
K1STO, prepared a paper that was presented at the second meeting with
JSC Education Office and the ARISS SuitSat-2 Team. The paper discussed
educational duties and public relations plans that have been completed
for the future SuitSat-2, as well as future SuitSat-2 plans. The
SuitSat-2 Technical Team, including Sergej Samburov, RV3DR, met on July
9-12 to make further progress on the development of the spacesuit
satellite, and hammered out an agreement about what items the US will
provide and work on, and what the Russians will provide and work on. The
ARISS Team supported an Alaska QSO on July 7 with The Challenger
Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, and the Manitoba Space
Adventure Camp held at the Canadian Air Force 17 Wing in Winnipeg on
July 12. An ARISS contact was also scheduled with the Arnold Palmer
Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida on July 17. The next scheduled
contact is with Challenger Learning Center of Lucas County, in Oregon,
Ohio on July 25. White said that ARISS is fortunate to have gotten these
schedules approved by NASA, as the crew is heavily overloaded with
ISS-assembly work duties. "ARISS may not get any more crew time than we
currently have (one QSO per week) until the ISS is completely put
together with its new modules," she said.
* TAPR to Meet in September: The ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications
Conference is an international forum for radio amateurs to meet, publish
their work and present new ideas and techniques. Presenters and
attendees will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn about
recent hardware and software advances, theories, experimental results
and practical applications at the three day conference to be held in
Windsor Locks, Connecticut. The ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications
Conference is for all levels of technical experience, not just for the
expert. Not only is the conference technically stimulating, it is a
weekend of fun for all who have more than a casual interest in any
aspect of amateur digital electronics and communications. The banquet
speaker this year is Bruce Perens, K6BP, well-known open-source software
advocate. Find out more at the TAPR Web page
<https://www.tapr.org/dcc.html>.
* Let Us Know: What's your favorite part of The ARRL Letter? What kind
of stories would you like to see in the Letter? Would you prefer the
Letter in an HTML format? This is your Letter and your chance to let
your voice be heard. Please send your suggestions to ARRL News Editor S.
Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, at k1sfa@arrl.org, with the subject line "ARRL
Letter Suggestions." All messages will be read and discussed, and we
look forward to implementing positive suggestions into the ARRL Letter.
===========================================================
The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the
American Radio Relay League: ARRL--the National Association for Amateur
Radio, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax
860-594-0259; <http://www.arrl.org/>. Joel Harrison, W5ZN, President.
The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential and general
news of interest to active radio amateurs. Visit the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/> for the latest Amateur Radio news and news
updates. The ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/> also offers
informative features and columns. ARRL Audio News
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> is a weekly "ham radio newscast"
compiled and edited from The ARRL Letter. It's also available as a
podcast from our Web site.
Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole
or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be
given to The ARRL Letter/American Radio Relay League.
==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!):
letter-dlvy@arrl.org
==>Editorial questions or comments: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA,
k1sfa@arrl.org
==>ARRL News on the Web: <http://www.arrl.org/>
==>ARRL Audio News: <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> or call
860-594-0384
==>How to Get The ARRL Letter
The ARRL Letter is available to ARRL members free of charge directly
from ARRL HQ. To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your address for
e-mail delivery:
ARRL members first must register on the Members Only Web Site
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Then, click on "Submit modification" to make selections effective.
(NOTE: HQ staff members cannot change your e-mail delivery address. You
must do this yourself via the Members Only Web Site.)
The ARRL Letter also is available to all, free of charge, from these
sources:
* ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>. (NOTE: The ARRL Letter will
be posted each Friday when it is distributed via e-mail.)
* The QTH.net listserver, thanks to volunteers from the Boston Amateur
Radio Club: Visit Mailing Lists@QTH.Net
<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/letter-list>. (NOTE: The ARRL
cannot assist subscribers who receive The ARRL Letter via this
listserver.)

The ARRL Letter

The ARRL Letter offers a weekly summary of essential news of interest to active amateurs that is available in advance of publication in QST, our official journal. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise and readable.

Much of the ARRL Letter content is also available in audio form in ARRL Audio News.

Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.

Back issues published since 2000 are available on this page. If you wish to subscribe via e-mail, simply log on to the ARRL Web site, click on Edit Your Profile at the top, then click on Edit Email Subscriptions. Check the box next to The ARRL email newsletter, the ARRL Letter and you will receive each weekly issue in HTML format. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Plain-Text

The ARRL E-Letter e-mail is also available in plain-text version:

Outlook Express

1. From the Inbox view, select the Tools menu and the Options selection.

2. Click the Read tab

3. Check the Read All Messages In Plain Text box. When you open the e-mail, it will be in plain text without images. Other e-mail programs may be able to make a Mail Rule for e-mail received from the address memberlist@www.arrl.org so that the plain-text-only display is selected automatically.

Outlook 2007

Use the same procedure as for Outlook Express, although the global option is under "Tools/Trust Center/E-mail Security".

Use the "Message text garbled?" link in the drop-down menu at the upper right of the displayed message block. pine, alpine Set "prefer-plain-text" in your ~/.pinerc configuration file: feature-list=..., prefer-plain-text, ...